Man Accused Of Scamming Homeowners For Fences That Were Never Built
August 1, 2022
An Escambia County man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly scamming three people out of money for fences that were never built.
Cody William Brown, 33, was charged with three counts of an organized scheme to defraud, three counts of grand theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Brown allegedly made a charge of $3,700 to a victim’s credit card on each of three consecutive days for a total of $11,100 to do work at a home on Steeplechase Boulevard in Beulah. No work was done, and no workers arrived, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
Unable to reach either of two phone numbers provided for Gulf Coast Fence and Supply, the resident called the deputies to report what he believed “to be an intentional local scam”.
The victim later received a text message from someone claiming to work for “Kodiak Fence Company”, the company named on the victim’s credit card statement. The text claimed that the work would be done, but no further response was received, an arrest report states.
According to the ECSO, Brown is the owner of Kodiak Fence Company, the Kodiak business phone number was used on a flyer for Gulf Coast Fence and Supply.
Brown told investigators that the third charge on the victim’s card was a mistake, and that he would refund the amounts. He stated that he had been sick with COVID, and that is why he could not start construction on the fence. according to an arrest report. He also explained that he was in the process of changing company names.
Two weeks later, the victim again called the Sheriff’s Office to state he had not received a refund, and Brown told investigators that he would overnight a check to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to give to the victim. A tracking number was provided, but it continues to show only that a label was created but never shipped.
Brown also allegedly accepted payments of $2,100 and $1,375 from two residents on Jamesville Road for a fence between their properties. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the work never started and promised refunds never arrived.
Update: Man Charged With DUI In Becks Lake Road Rollover Crash That Injured Three
August 1, 2022
A Cantonment man has been charged with DUI in connect with a rollover crash that injured three people on Becks Lake Road in Cantonment Sunday night.
Ricky Lyn Brooks, 43, was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury to another person, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He remained in he Escambia County Jail Monday afternoon with bond set at $7,500.
A 13-year old was ejected from the vehicle and airlifted to a Pensacola Hospital by LifeFlight helicopter. An 11-year old and an 18-year old were also injured and transported by ambulance.
Brooks and another passenger in his vehicle refused transport.
The Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS responded.
IP Employees Scholarship Foundation Awards Four College Scholarships
August 1, 2022
The International Paper Pensacola Employees Scholarship Foundation has awarded four college scholarships.
The scholarships of $1,000 each were presented to:
- Tyler Daw, University of West Florida
- Emma Goldberg, University of West Florida
- Chase Horton, Florida State University
- Rachel Thomas, University of Central Florida
“We are proud to be able to award scholarships to these deserving young students. We wish them the very best in their educational journey,” said Laura Osborne, president of the I.P. Employees Scholarship Foundation.
Awarded annually to high school seniors, the scholarships were established more than 40 years ago. To be eligible, students must be a child of an active or retired employee of International Paper Pensacola Mill, be accepted by an institution of higher learning and submit an application with a qualifying ACT score.
Pictured: Scholarship winners (above) Tyler Daw, Emma Goldberg, (below) Chase Horton and Rachel Thomas. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Driver’s License Services, Vehicle Registration Available Tuesday In Century
August 1, 2022
The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office will be in Century on Tuesday.
FLOW is a standalone mobile office with technology to provide most motorists’ needs. The mobile unit provides a convenient method to renew a driver license, obtain a replacement driver license, conversion/reciprocation of out-of-state license, change a name or address on a current driver license or identification card, and get a first-time identification card. In addition to licensing services, the mobile unit also provides an opportunity to renew or replace a vehicle registration and apply, renew or replace disabled parking placards. Written and driving tests are not available from the FLOW unit.
Vehicle registrations can be renewed up to three months and driver licenses up to 18 months in advance of expiration.
The FLOW mobile office will be at the Billy G. Ward Century Courthouse, 7500 North Century Boulevard on Tuesday, August 2 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Citizens using the FLOW services are encouraged to visit EscambiaTaxCollector.com and click the “What Do I Bring” button for information on what is needed for these services. Staff from the tax collector’s office will be on hand to answer all FLOW service questions and questions concerning all other tax collector services such as property tax, business tax receipts, concealed weapons licensing, etc.
Pictured: The Florida Licensing On Wheels (FLOW) mobile office at the courthouse in Century in June 2022. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Florida Average Gas Price Dips Below $4
August 1, 2022
Florida gas prices slipped an average of 17 cents per gallon last week, continuing what is now a seven-week streak of declines. The state average has now dropped a total of 96 cents per gallon since mid-June.
Additionally, the state average is back below $4 a gallon for the first time in nearly five months (March 6). On Sunday, the state average for regular unleaded was $3.93 per gallon. That’s the lowest daily average price since March 5.
The average price in Escambia County was $3.82 Sunday night. A low of $3.55 in North Escambia could be found at a station on Muscogee Road in Cantonment, while Pensacola prices bottomed out at $3.44 at the warehouse clubs.
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Road Construction: Here’s What To Expect This Week On State Roads
August 1, 2022
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 98 Pensacola Bay Bridge Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 31 through Saturday, Aug. 6 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- West Cervantes Street (U.S. 90) Pedestrian Safety Improvement – Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime and nighttime single lane closures and lane shifts, between A Street and Dominguez Street, as crews adjust manholes and pedestrian fencing.
- North Ninth Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 289) Carpenters Creek Bridge Replacement – All travel lanes are temporarily shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews construct the northbound portion. Additionally, drivers may encounter intermittent temporary lane closures Monday, Aug. 1 through Friday, Aug. 5 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as crews mobilize materials and equipment.
- Pace Boulevard from Barrancas Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue – Pedestrians will encounter alternating sidewalk closures on Pace Boulevard, between Barrancas Avenue and North Palafox Street (U.S. 29), as crews perform sidewalk and curb improvements. Pedestrians will be detoured to the signalized intersections to access sidewalks on the opposite side of Pace Boulevard during this time.
- Pensacola Boulevard (U.S. 29) from Brent Lane to North of Interstate 10 (I-10) – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 4 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for paving operations.
- I-10 at the Interstate 110 (I-110) Interchange – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures Sunday, July 31 through Thursday, Aug. 4 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to clean the bridge decks and place high friction surface treatments on the following ramps:
- I-110 northbound ramp to Davis Highway
- I-110 northbound ramp to I-10 eastbound
- I-10 eastbound ramp to I-110 southbound
- Sorrento Road (S.R. 292) Intersection Improvements at Innerarity Point (County Road 292A) – Motorists can expect intermittent daytime shoulder closures the week of Monday, Aug. 1 for placement of a watermain.
Santa Rosa County:
- Pensacola Bay Bridge (U.S. 98) Replacement – Drivers will encounter alternating lane closures and lane shifts on the Pensacola Bay Bridge Sunday, July 31 through Saturday, Aug. 6 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 1, U.S. 98 westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) will have lane closures beginning at 10 p.m. due to Bands on the Beach. Crews will be using lanes on the current bridge as a platform to pour concrete decks for the westbound (Gulf Breeze to Pensacola) structure.
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between S.R. 281 and Bayshore Road, Sunday, July 31 through Friday, Aug. 5 from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for paving operations.
- Eastbound travelers will encounter a new traffic configuration from west of Bayshore Road to College Parkway as lanes will be shifted slightly south to allow for widening activities in the median.
- Settlers Colony Boulevard remains open. The closure has been postponed until further notice due to material delays.
- I-10 Resurfacing East of S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to East of S.R. 87 – Motorists can expect intermittent nighttime lane closures Monday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 4 for construction activities.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance Between East Bay Boulevard and Grady Tolbert Road – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures the week of Monday, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for utility maintenance.
- S.R. 87 Routine Utility Maintenance at Burton Circle – Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures the week of Monday, Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for utility maintenance.
All activities are weather-dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Wahoos Win Series Over Mississippi Braves
August 1, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos ended the month of July with a win on Sunday afternoon, riding a strong start from A.J. Ladwig to a 7-4 victory over the Mississippi Braves.
Ladwig (W, 6-3) turned in 7.0 innings of three-run ball to earn his team-leading sixth win of the season as the Blue Wahoos finished July at 13-12, their third winning month in a row.
Pensacola jumped ahead early against Mississippi starter Dylan Dodd (L, 0-1) on a Griffin Conine solo home run in the first inning. After a throwing error led to another run in the third, Conine added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-0.
Thomas Jones hit a two-run homer in the fourth, and a Will Banfield RBI triple in the sixth helped the Blue Wahoos stretch their advantage to 7-0.
Mississippi scored three runs on five hits in the seventh, but a double-play grounder helped Ladwig escape further trouble. Ladwig got 15 ground ball outs and struck out five, tying a season-high seven innings without a single fly ball.
The Braves got a run in the ninth against Sean Reynolds, but the righty finished off the game to lock down a series win for the Blue Wahoos.
After an off day on Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin a six-game series in Montgomery on Tuesday.
by Erik Bremer, Pensacola Blue Wahoos
30,000 Pounds Of Food, School Supplies Distributed In Molino (With Photo Gallery)
July 31, 2022
Hundreds of local families received a back to school boost Saturday during an event at the Molino Community Center.
There were 473 families that received boxes of food as over 300 vehicles passed through the line. Volunteers also distributed 290 backpacks containing school supplies, 300 energy saving LED light bulbs, and 150 gift cards worth $10 each to Walmart.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The event was hosted by Rep. Michelle Salzman, Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry, Sheriff Chip Simmons, ECUA board member Kevin Stephens, Senator Marco Rubio, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Jubilee Church, Florida Power & Light, International Paper, State Farm and other community partners.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
New Escambia County Teachers Prep For Their First Day At School This Week
July 31, 2022
New teachers in the Escambia County School District spent two days last week getting to know the district in a program held at Beulah Middle School.
Teachers return to class August 2 in Escambia County.
The first day of school for students is Wednesday, August 10.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Cheerleaders Hold Back To School Mini Chief Cheer Clinic
July 31, 2022
The Northview High School cheerleaders Back To School Mini Chief Cheer Clinic was held Saturday at the school.
Campers ages 5-12 had an opportunity to learn individual cheer skills, partner stunts, a spirit dance, and more. They will have a chance to perform under the Friday night lights at an upcoming Northview football game.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.